2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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When you’re late to the party, you’d better bring extra beer. Of course that’s not an option for Hyundai, what with DWI rules and all, so they decided to do us one better. For 2013, the Sonata Hybrid shows up a bit late but arrives with more power, more space, increased efficiency—and it even costs less.
Sure, $200 isn’t much, but it’s better than going the opposite way, especially when you’re getting so much more in 2013 compared with last year. The hybrid drivetrain has been completely revamped here, starting with the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine and 6-speed automatic and moving on to improved parts from there.
The big news is in the new battery pack: a lithium-polymer unit delivering 47kW as opposed to the 34kW pack from last year, and this one is smaller and lighter as well. Four and a half pounds have been shaved here, and 1.4 cubic feet of trunk space has been saved. No, these aren’t leaps and bounds, but small steps do add up. Case in point, the trunk now offers 12.1 cubic feet in total. The electric motor jumps up as well, going from 30 to 35kW, and even the starter motor is larger, getting a bump from 8.5 to 10.5kW.
This brings the expected gains in efficiency—up to 36 mpg city/40 highway—and another unexpected benefit. Hyundai says the cumulative effect of all this improvement is less wear on the transmission, which directly affects that aspect of hybrid ownership that dearly needs attention: longevity. Thankfully, that new battery pack still comes with a lifetime warranty, so at least your charging fears can be assuaged.
The Sonata Hybrid also gets tweaks to its software for improved driving-pattern recognition that allow you to utilize all-electric power more efficiently. Some gentle massaging to the outside provides improved aerodynamics as well, dropping the Sonata’s drag coefficient down to a limbo-low 0.24. That’s a figure you’d be hard-pressed to find outside of a sports car—and most of those even find it a difficult bar to reach.
This would all be impressive enough, but Hyundai delivers all this and drops the price, too. It’s not much, but it’s enough to undercut competitors like the Fusion and Camry hybrids, neither of which comes with a lifetime battery warranty.
For those who want the best bang for their hybrid buck, the Base Sonata Hybrid comes with keyless entry, heated front seats, Bluetooth and 16-inch alloy wheels Hyundai wants us to refer to as “Eco-spoke.” You’ll also get Hyundai’s Blue Link Telematics system—the manufacturer’s voice-activated multimedia navigation system.
The Limited trim adds leather to the wheel, seats and shift knob, increases wheels to 17 inches and tacks on an HD radio and backup camera. For those who really want to stand out, a panoramic sunroof can be added as well as a standalone option.
It’s certainly not the most impressive hybrid on the road, but perhaps it’s trying the hardest? Small gains certainly add up, but when you’re not even managing a combined rating of 40 mpg, even those small steps might not be enough. Looks like Hyundai might need to pick up some beer after all.
User reviews for 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Write a review2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 104 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Material: carpet
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.32
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 47 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 35 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 159 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5500 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 154 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4500
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 400 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.32
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 47 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 35 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 159 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5500 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 154 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4500
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse
